Phil Davies

United Kingdom

Freelance Travel Journalist at Freelance

Reporter at Travel Weekly (UK)

Award-winning travel/cruise industry journalist, editor & media trainer. Working for Travel Weekly among others.

Articles

Jet2holidays co-funds new prime-time travel show

3 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Phil Davies

Jet2holidays is co-funding a new ITV prime time travel show called The Great Escapers. The series features figures from stars from Coronation Street, I’m A Celebrity…, The Chase and Loose Women competing to give their colleagues the best holiday experience they can. The four 60-minute episodes are being filmed this spring and summer in Rhodes, Spain, Portugal and Malta.
Travel firms urged to provide input to trends and confidence survey

3 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Phil Davies

Travel firms are being encouraged by the Abta-led Future Travel Coalition to complete the latest booking trends and industry confidence survey. The poll provides input to help the 14-strong cross-industry group in its lobbying efforts with government and other decision makers. The survey examines business confidence levels, booking trends, recruitment, access to finance, and other issues of relevance, including the impact of April’s changes to employer taxation for the UK travel industry.
Expanded international sales and marketing role in Virgin Voyages management shake-up

4 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Phil Davies

A series of management changes at Virgin Voyages sees Stephen Hopkins expand his role as vice president of growth and international sales & marketing to include sales acceleration. He will oversee the integration of sales enablement, trade marketing, and partner engagement initiatives - designed to deliver stronger tools, more streamlined support, and enhanced resources for the line’s global network of travel partners, according to the company.
Ryanair releases European ‘league of delays’ with warning over summer disruption

4 weeks ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Phil Davies

Last year has been labelled as a record 12 months for air traffic control (ATC) delays despite 5% fewer flights in Europe than pre-Covid. The claim came from Ryanair as the airline highlighted EU states whose “short staffed and mismanaged” ATCs are causing the worst delays to its flights so far this year. The first wave of morning departures is being particularly hit, according to the low cost carrier.
New ports added by Tui River Cruises for winter 2026-27

1 month ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Phil Davies

New ports of call in Serbia and Croatia on the River Danube are being introduced by Tui River Cruises in winter 2026. The winter itineraries will go on sale from July 3 offering 33 sailings across the entire fleet between November 2026 and April 2027. Four to seven-night river cruise options aim to provide more flexibility and choice for holidaymakers. The first winter season by new 190-passenger vessel Tui Aria (pictured) will see sailings on the Rhine.
Third Ritz-Carlton super-yacht completes sea trials

1 month ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Phil Davies

The third Ritz-Carlton super-yacht Luminara is to embark on its maiden voyage on July 3. The 452-passenger vessel is to sail from Monte Carlo to the port of Rome. The first sailing follows the successful completion of sea trials. The ship’s inaugural season in the Mediterranean will be followed by travelling through Africa and the Indian Ocean before starting Asia-Pacific itineraries in December. The all-suite ship will visit Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam; Osaka, Japan; and Bangkok, Thailand.
Tui confirms Birmingham-Budapest flights to serve river cruises

1 month ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Phil Davies

A new route from Birmingham to Budapest next summer will serve Tui’s Danube river cruises. The weekly Monday service from May 4 until September 2026 comes as the operator deploys three Tui River Cruises ships on the Danube for the first time. The vessels Isla, Maya and Skyla will all be based on the river for the full summer season with flights from Birmingham added following growing demand for river cruises in the central Europe region, according to the operator.
Loganair starts summer Scottish link to Guernsey

1 month ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Phil Davies

Loganair has started seasonal summer flights between Edinburgh and Guernsey for the first time since pre-pandemic 2019. The weekly summer service will run on Saturdays until September 13. Passengers can also use Loganair’s regional network via Southampton airport for longer or shorter stays on the Channel island. The launch follows collaboration between Loganair and Guernsey Ports to ensure the route meets the needs of both leisure and business travellers.
Aer Lingus to start Dublin-Cancun service

1 month ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Phil Davies

Aer Lingus is is to serve the Mexican resort of Cancun next winter. Three flights a week will run from Dublin between January 6 and April 29, 2026. The airline will deploy Airbus A330-300 wide body aircraft on the route, with connections from the UK and other points in Europe. The announcement of the new route comes as Ireland and Mexico mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Sixty agents complete tenth Brand USA megafam in Philadelphia

1 month ago | travelweekly.co.uk | Phil Davies

Sixty UK and Ireland travel agents have completed a tenth Brand USA megafam across 14 states. The Destination Immersion programme involved groups visiting 25 cities on six dedicated itineraries from New York to Texas. A finale in Philadelphia saw British and European agents meet up to celebrate their experiences, share insights, and immerse themselves in the city.